Survey of maneuvering target tracking. Part V. Multiple-model methods

This is the fifth part of a series of papers that provide a comprehensive survey of techniques for tracking maneuvering targets without addressing the so-called measurement-origin uncertainty. Part I and Part II deal with target motion models. Part III covers measurement models and associated techniques. Part IV is concerned with tracking techniques that are based on decisions regarding target maneuvers. This part surveys the multiple-model methods $the use of multiple models (and filters) simultaneously - which is the prevailing approach to maneuvering target tracking in recent years. The survey is presented in a structured way, centered around three generations of algorithms: autonomous, cooperating, and variable structure. It emphasizes the underpinning of each algorithm and covers various issues in algorithm design, application, and performance.     

Extended solution to multiple maneuvering target tracking

An improved algorithm for tracking multiple maneuvering targets is presented. This approach is implemented with an approximate adaptive filter consisting of the one-step conditional maximum-likelihood technique together with the extended Kalman filter and an adaptive maneuvering compensator. In order to avoid the extra computational burden of considering events with negligible probability, a validation matrix is defined in the tracking structure. With this approach, data-association and target maneuvering problems can be solved simultaneously. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the algorithm for many tracking situations are described. Computer simulation results indicate that this approach successfully tracks multiple maneuvering targets over a wide range of conditions     

Multiple-Model Probability Hypothesis Density Filter for Tracking Maneuvering Targets

Tracking multiple targets with uncertain target dynamics is a difficult problem, especially with nonlinear state and/or measurement equations. With multiple targets, representing the full posterior distribution over target states is not practical. The problem becomes even more complicated when the number of targets varies, in which case the dimensionality of the state space itself becomes a discrete random variable. The probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter, which propagates only the first-order statistical moment (the PHD) of the full target posterior, has been shown to be a computationally efficient solution to multitarget tracking problems with a varying number of targets. The integral of PHD in any region of the state space gives the expected number of targets in that region. With maneuvering targets, detecting and tracking the changes in the target motion model also become important. The target dynamic model uncertainty can be resolved by assuming multiple models for possible motion modes and then combining the mode-dependent estimates in a manner similar to the one used in the interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator. This paper propose a multiple-model implementation of the PHD filter, which approximates the PHD by a set of weighted random samples propagated over time using sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods. The resulting filter can handle nonlinear, non-Gaussian dynamics with uncertain model parameters in multisensor-multitarget tracking scenarios. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed filter over single-model PHD filters.     

A non-Bayesian segmenting tracker for highly maneuvering targets

The segmenting track identifier (STI) is introduced as a new methodology for tracking highly maneuvering targets. This nonBayesian approach dynamically partitions a target track into a sequence of track segments, making hard estimates of when the target's maneuvering mode transitions occur, and then estimates the parameters of the target model for each segment. STI is compared with two variable structures interacting multiple model (VS-IMM) algorithms through simulations, where it is shown to have a three fold performance advantage in median absolute turn rate estimation errors, as well as better position estimation for very highly maneuvering targets. STI is also shown to outperform a Rauch-Tung-Striebel (RTS) fixed-interval smoother when estimates are retrospectively derived, and STI accurately characterize the temporal pattern of maneuvers.     

Modified input estimation technique using pseudoresiduals

An adaptive tracking filter for maneuvering targets is proposed using modified input estimation technique. Pseudoresiduals are defined using measurements and the velocity estimate at the hypothesized maneuver onset time. With the pseudoresiduals and a new target model representing transitions of nominal accelerations, a new input estimation method for tracking a maneuvering target is derived. Since the proposed detection technique is more sensitive to maneuvers than previous work, the shorter window length can be employed to detect and compensate target maneuvers. Also shown is that the tracking performance of the proposed filter is similar to that of interacting multiple model method (IMM) with 3 models, while computational loads of our method are drastically reduced     

一类新型机动目标跟踪算法

阐述了当跟踪非机动目标时,传统的Kalman滤波可以得到很好的跟踪精度。但是当日标机动时,传统的Kalman滤波不能对目标的突然变化做出及时的改正和预测,因此跟踪精度很差,甚至出现丢失目标的情况。文中采用的基于截断正态概率模型的改进自适应目标跟踪算法, 其结构和计算简单,鲁棒性好,较好地解决了使用Kalman滤波带来的不足。     

一种密集多回波环境下的机动多目标跟踪起始算法

 本文研究密集多回波环境下的机动多目标跟踪起始问题。文中首先提出主跟踪子空间和边缘跟踪子空间的定义与性质,接着修正Bayes轨迹确定方法BTC,并将其与具有残差滤波的修正概率数据关联滤波算法MPDAF-RF有机地结合起来,提出一种适合高密集多回波环境的机动多目环跟踪起始方法——“全邻”Bayes跟踪起始算法ABTI。Monte Carlo仿真表明,本文所给出的算法不仅克服了一类概率数据关联滤波方法没有跟踪起始机理的缺陷,而且辨别目标与虚警的能力很强,不失为解决高密集多回波环境下机动多目标跟踪起始的有效方法。     

A sequential detection approach to target tracking

Sequential hypothesis testing is investigated for multiframe detection and tracking of low-observable maneuvering point-source targets in a digital image sequence. The proposed multiple multistage hypothesis test tracking (MMHTT) algorithm extends tracks formed from sequentially detected target trajectory segments using a multiple hypothesis tracking strategy. The MMHTT algorithm does not require a probabilistic larger maneuver model. Computational efficiency is achieved by using a truncated sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) to prune a dense tree of candidate target trajectories and score the detected trajectory segments. An analytical performance evaluation is presented and confirmed by experimental results from an optical satellite tracking application     

改进的MMPHD机动目标跟踪方法

基于序列蒙特卡罗方法的经典多模概率假设密度滤波方法及其各种衍生方法,在预测过程中依据多个并行的状态转移模型,通过将大量粒子散布到下一时刻目标所有可能出现的状态空间实现目标状态的捕获,造成计算量大、目标跟踪精度差。为此,提出一种改进的多模粒子概率假设密度机动目标跟踪方法。该方法利用最新量测信息估计目标运动模型概率及模型参数,并将估计得到的目标模型应用到粒子概率假设密度滤波方法的预测过程中生成预测粒子,从而将大部分粒子聚合在目标最可能出现的状态空间邻域中,实现粒子的有效利用。数值仿真表明,所提方法不仅显著地减少了目标丢失个数,而且提高了目标跟踪精度。     

IMMPDAF for radar management and tracking benchmark with ECM

A framework is presented for controlling a phased array radar for tracking highly maneuvering targets in the presence of false alarms (FAs) and electronic countermeasures (ECMs). Algorithms are presented for track formation and maintenance; adaptive selection of target revisit interval, waveform and detection threshold; and neutralizing techniques for ECM, namely, against a standoff jammer (SOJ) and range gate pull off (RGPO). The interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator in combination with the probabilistic data association (PDA) technique is used for tracking. A constant false alarm rate (CFAR) approach is used to adaptively select the detection threshold and radar waveform, countering the effect of jammer-induced false measurements. The revisit interval is selected adaptively, based on the predicted angular innovation standard deviations. This tracker/radar-resource-allocator provides a complete solution to the benchmark problem for target tracking and radar control. Simulation results show an average sampling interval of about 2.5 s while maintaining a track loss less than the maximum allowed 4%     

A tracking approach for targets with measurements containingjamming or clutter signals

The concept of maneuvering target tracking which is presented by K. Demirbas, (see ibid., vol.AES-23, p.757-66, 1987) is used to track maneuvering targets whose observations contain interference representing jamming or clutter signals. The resulting tracking approach produces state estimates that closely follow the actual state values, as in target tracking in a clear environment     

Tracking of multiple maneuvering targets using multiscan JPDA and IMM filtering

The paper considers the problem of tracking multiple maneuvering targets in the presence of clutter using switching multiple target motion models. A novel suboptimal filtering algorithm is developed by applying the basic interacting multiple model (IMM) approach and the joint probabilistic data association (JPDA) technique. Unlike the standard single-scan JPDA approach, the authors exploit a multiscan joint probabilistic data association (mscan-JPDA) approach to solve the data association problem. The algorithm is illustrated via a simulation example involving tracking of four maneuvering targets and a multiscan data window of length two     

基于视觉注意机制的认知雷达数据关联算法

针对传统关联波门设计方法在应用于机动目标跟踪时容易引起失跟、以及概率数据关联算法不适于多交叉目标跟踪的问题,提出了一种基于人类视觉选择性注意机制和知觉客体的"特征整合"理论的认知雷达数据关联算法。算法以综合交互式多模型概率数据关联算法为基础,采取假设目标最大机动水平已知的"当前"统计模型和匀速运动模型作为模型集,通过实时交互使关联波门能够随目标机动动态调整,较好地兼顾了雷达计算耗时和跟踪成功率。在利用目标位置特征的基础上,进一步提取、整合目标运动特征,对关联波门交叉区域公共量测进行分类,使多交叉目标跟踪问题转化为多个单目标跟踪问题,优化了传统概率数据关联算法。仿真结果表明：与传统关联波门设计方法相比,算法跟踪失败率和计算耗时明显降低;而且在计算资源增加不大的情况下,杂波环境适应性也得到了显著增强。     

Survey of maneuvering target tracking. Part I. Dynamic models

This is the first part of a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the techniques for tracking maneuvering targets without addressing the so-called measurement-origin uncertainty. It surveys various mathematical models of target motion/dynamics proposed for maneuvering target tracking, including 2D and 3D maneuver models as well as coordinate-uncoupled generic models for target motion. This survey emphasizes the underlying ideas and assumptions of the models. Interrelationships among models and insight to the pros and cons of models are provided. Some material presented here has not appeared elsewhere.     

高斯非平稳机动目标波达角模型及跟踪

在实际的跟踪情况中,由于环境条件、目标反射截面等因素的变化,回波信号的功率会随时间变化,即不满足通常阵列信号处理中对高斯信号作平稳性的假设。针对复杂运动条件下高斯非平稳目标的跟踪问题,提出了一种新的机动目标波达角(DOA)模型。该模型全面地刻画了高斯非平稳机动目标的动态,并将目标的DOA和信号功率作为状态变量进行了联合考虑,同时运用虚拟阵列的表示方法构建了相应的观测方程。对于建立的新模型,最后采用无迹卡尔曼滤波(UKF)的框架完成了整个跟踪算法。分析和仿真结果表明,当高斯非平稳机动目标之间存在长时间相互接近的情况时,新方法仍然可以获得较好的跟踪性能。     

Improved multi-target tracking in clutter by PDA smoothing

An algorithm is presented for the recursive tracking of multiple targets in cluttered environment by making use of the joint probabilistic data association fixed-lag smoothing (JPDAS) techniques. It is shown that a significant improvement in the accuracy of track estimation of both nonmaneuvering and maneuvering targets may be achieved by introducing a time lag of one or two sampling periods between the instants of estimation and latest measurement. Results of simulation experiments for a radar tracking problem that demonstrate the effects of fixed-lag smoothing are also presented     

Reduced state estimators for consistent tracking of maneuvering targets

Linear Kalman filters, using fewer states than required to completely specify target maneuvers, are commonly used to track maneuvering targets. Such reduced state Kalman filters have also been used as component filters of interacting multiple model (IMM) estimators. These reduced state Kalman filters rely on white plant noise to compensate for not knowing the maneuver - they are not necessarily optimal reduced state estimators nor are they necessarily consistent. To be consistent, the state estimation and innovation covariances must include the actual errors during a maneuver. Blair and Bar-Shalom have shown an example where a linear Kalman filter used as an inconsistent reduced state estimator paradoxically yields worse errors with multisensor tracking than with single sensor tracking. We provide examples showing multiple facets of Kalman filter and IMM inconsistency when tracking maneuvering targets with single and multiple sensors. An optimal reduced state estimator derived in previous work resolves the consistency issues of linear Kalman filters and IMM estimators.     

An Adaptive Two-Dimensional Kalman Tracking Filter

A continuously adaptive two-dimensional Kalman tracking filter for a low data rate track-while-scan (TWS) operation is introduced which enhances the tracking of maneuvering targets. The track residuals in each coordinate, which are a measure of track quality, are sensed, normalized to unity variance, and then filtered in a single-pole filter. The magnitude Z of the output of this single-pole filter, when it exceeds a threshold Z1 is used to vary the maneuver noise spectral density q in the Kalman filter model in a continuous manner. This has the effect of increasing the tracking filter gains and containing the bias developed by the tracker due to the maneuvering target. The probability of maintaining track, with reasonably sized target gates, is thus increased, The operational characteristic of q versus Z assures that the tracker gains do not change unless there is high confidence that a maneuver is in progress.     

机动多目标跟踪问题中关联区域的研究

 本文研究了跟踪多个机动目标时,由滤波算法所获得的新息向量范数的统计性质,关联区域的大小以及接收正确回波的概率。借助拉蒙特卡洛方法,考察了不同的目标状态模型、目标机动加速度及状态噪声方差等因素对所研究的问题的影响。研究表明,文献[1]所提出的机动目标状态模型及相应的自适应算法具有较好的适应目标机动的能力,关联区域的大小及接收正确回波的概率均较为稳定。